Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Alex Nylander surprised many this offseason when he opted to sign a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. Now we know he did so despite having offers from NHL teams,

Before any premature talk of William and Alex Nylander playing together, best to first figure where Willy fits positionally. True to new coach Craig Berube’s summer blueprint, Nylander lined up at centre on Thursday’s first day of camp workouts,

A 1-2-3 of Matthews, Nylander and Tavares down the middle also brings with it the potential for greater offensive depth. The Leafs have been reliant, overly so at times, on two lines to generate offence over the years, another point of detriment in past postseasons.

With a new coach, the opportunity to bring old ideas back in hopes that things can work out differently this time makes sense in most cases that is. The idea of William Nylander at centre is one of those ideas that seems like it is better off permanently mothballed.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube and general manager Brad Treliving absolutely want William Nylander playing centre.